Netflix Squid Game (1 Viewer)

[Joe Wong]

I did a search for this title but found nothing. A little surprising considering it was only 3 years ago when the first season dropped, and had a bit of a viral moment.

Moderators, if there is an existing thread, please feel free to merge or leave this as discussion for S2.

I found S1 to be quite addictive, a mix of thriller, social commentary and character drama that examines human nature, greed, and moral dilemma while being driven by our innate survival instincts.

Given the “success” of S1, a second season was announced, and it finally dropped just after Christmas.

I finished S2 on the weekend. I initially thought it was going to be a challenge to have a follow-up without it being a rehash of S1, but the creators have added some nice twists and intrigue and another interesting set of characters, while keeping the thriller part (the “Game”) compelling.

Worth a watch.

 

[Greg.K]

I enjoyed season 2, but it really feels like the half season that it is. Looking forward to season 3.

 

[Joe Wong]

I enjoyed season 2, but it really feels like the half season that it is. Looking forward to season 3.

Yes... "season 2" is the label they're using... but it could also be "season 2, part 1" like a lot of what Netflix has been doing (eg. with Stranger Things season 4).

 

[Tommy R]

Either way, season 2 was amazing. This is a totally crazy show, and I’m highly anticipating the final set of episodes. Word is it’ll hit June 27th.

 

[WillG]

There was some rehash with season 1

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such as the first vote to end the games again ending up a tie with player 001 being the tiebreaker, some of the fights that break out etc.

I thought the went a bit heavy on the personal greed aspect to the point where it became almost satirical

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like when one of the games ended and the “O” player express disappointment that not enough of the other player will killed for their liking

I’m not sure how I feel about the whole “X” vs “O” concept. One one hand it offers up a new dynamic but I think it pushes the audience to see one group as the clear “good guys” and the other as the clear “bad guys”

Thanos is a douchebag, but in a humorous way

I’m glad the VIPs weren’t a part of this portion of the story as they were easily the worst element of S1, but I’m sure we’ll see them again in part 2

There was some good stuff but those are my main criticisms

 

[Tino]

It was a good second season but nowhere near the brilliance of the first.

I hope they can stick the landing.

 

[Joe Wong]

Finished S3…

Verdict: While the games are still every bit as intriguing as they have been in S1 and S2, I felt the ending was a little underwhelming. It does, however, highlight that there is hope amongst all the dark excesses of human nature - that in spite of our base survival instinct (and the greed that goes along with it), we can sometimes override that to be a better person. Barely…

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While they’ve lost their novelty, the games themselves are still very entertaining to watch, as we await to see who survives or dies each game and how the series creators resolve some of the moral dilemmas and tricky situations that arise.

Now, S3 does feel a little like SW:ROTJ, rushing to basically tie up all the loose ends without introducing much new story-wise. Compare with S2 where the interesting twist was that the boss man actually joins in as a participant and befriends the lead, Gi Hun. To that end, I was hoping the moment Gi Hun finds out the deception would be more impactful, but the reveal is quick and over in a matter of minutes.

The side story with the guard #11 is good but I was hoping it would lead to more interaction between her and Gi Hun. As it is, she remains a side character that is useful in driving the plot (her actions lead to the island’s discovery), but little else.

And the story between the 2 brothers - the game boss and the policeman - doesn’t get resolved, at least not with much satisfaction.

So a very entertaining and compelling concept comes to an end, at least in its Korean iteration. Apparently David Fincher is developing a US version… I’ll be interested to see what he brings. Hopefully not just a remake, but with more story development while retaining the game element.

 

[Greg.K]

Really thought the addition of...

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..the baby as a player was dumb. Especially because they have always made the point that the players made the choice to be there, which of course the baby never could.

I guess it did make for some interesting drama for the final game, but I'd have rather seen that handled differently.

 

[Joe Wong]

Really thought the addition of...

Spoiler

..the baby as a player was dumb. Especially because they have always made the point that the players made the choice to be there, which of course the baby never could.

I guess it did make for some interesting drama for the final game, but I'd have rather seen that handled differently.

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Since it was a stupid decision from the VIPs, I’ll give the baby’s addition a pass. From a creator’s POV, it did allow for some plot and moral contortions.

 

[WillG]

I guess it ended satisfyingly enough

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even though you could see from planet Mars that Gi Hun was going to have to sacrifice himself so save the baby. I know that sometimes the hero has to do that, but I was kind of hoping that Gi Hun would get a second chance at being a father to a surrogate daughter.

The cameo at the end was a bit random. Also is it just me or is there a strange way that the VIPs speak. I can’t quite put my finger on it but there’s something in both this and season one

 

[Joe Wong]

I guess it ended satisfyingly enough

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even though you could see from planet Mars that Gi Hun was going to have to sacrifice himself so save the baby. I know that sometimes the hero has to do that, but I was kind of hoping that Gi Hun would get a second chance at being a father to a surrogate daughter.

The cameo at the end was a bit random. Also is it just me or is there a strange way that the VIPs speak. I can’t quite put my finger on it but there’s something in both this and season one

I heard that the VIPs were dubbed.

 

[WillG]

I heard that the VIPs were dubbed.

Yep defiantly sounded like that, but why? Despite the masks the VIP are clearly non Korean actors

 

[Joe Wong]

Yep defiantly sounded like that, but why? Despite the masks the VIP are clearly non Korean actors

Don’t know why. Aside from the reveal that they are cruel and rich and reveling in the misery of the players, the whole VIP stuff was weak, IMO. A waste of time, by the end.

 

[WillG]

Don’t know why. Aside from the reveal that they are cruel and rich and reveling in the misery of the players, the whole VIP stuff was weak, IMO. A waste of time, by the end.

Agree, it was the weakest element of the first season as well. Maybe people like that exist in real life but here it seems so over the top. I think I mentioned it before but I thought this season (and by this season I mean 2 and 3, any future discussion I’m just going to refer to it as season 2) also went a bit over the top on the concept of greed to the point where I’m not sure if it’s supposed to be serious or satire. Like for example

Spoiler

most of the final players almost killing the baby just to ensure one additional share of the prize money

 

[Joe Wong]

Agree, it was the weakest element of the first season as well. Maybe people like that exist in real life but here it seems so over the top. I think I mentioned it before but I thought this season (and by this season I mean 2 and 3, any future discussion I’m just going to refer to it as season 2) also went a bit over the top on the concept of greed to the point where I’m not sure if it’s supposed to be serious or satire. Like for example

Spoiler

most of the final players almost killing the baby just to ensure one additional share of the prize money

I do think there was an element of satire in the VIPs. There had to be, right? Especially since it was so over the top, like you said.

Spoiler

A regular question the series asks is whether humans would instantly resort to their base survival instinct or allow their moral or more human side to override that. “Survival of the fittest” and all that.

For example, the final choice shows that only Gi Hun is able to make the sacrifice. The other men would have gladly thrown the baby off if it was left to one of them and the baby.